Method and system for error correction utilized with a system for distribution of media

ABSTRACT

A method and system for correcting errors in a receiving system is disclosed. The method and system comprises analyzing and identifying errors in a media in the receiving system and communicating with a network center to download fixes to correct errors in the media.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to the following co-pending applications:

Application Ser. No. 11/351,519, filed Feb. 10, 2006 entitled “A Methodand System for Distribution of Media,” filed on even date herewith.

Application Ser. No. 11/351,408, filed Feb. 10, 2006, entitled “A Methodand System for Distribution of Media Including a Gigablock,” filed oneven date herewith.

Application Ser. No. 11/351,521, filed Feb. 10, 2006, entitled “A Systemfor Error Distribution of Media Utilized with a Receiver/Set Top Box,”filed on even date herewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to media distribution and morespecifically to a method and system for efficiently distributing media.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computer systems and users need to be provided with increasing amountsof data. There are many ways of trying to provide that data in anefficient fashion. One of these ways is to stream data to a particularuser, via the internet. The streaming data environment, however,requires a very high bandwidth system to be efficient. Even with thesystems that are presently available, a typical filmlike movie may takeseveral hours to download, which is unacceptable in many situations.

There are other ways of delivering media. One way of delivering media,for example, is pay for view environments. However, in these kinds ofenvironments, the user is limited to specific movies that are shown atspecific times or the like. It is also possible to provide for the timeshifting of the delivery of the media. An example of this process isNetflix, in which a user can ask for or can receive and send disks ofinformation, or can apply for particular video rentals which arrive viathe mail within some predetermined period of time, such as 1-3 days.This type of system, although it is clearly effective, depends on theexistence of large warehouses of DVDs or the like and some kind ofpackaging and shipping system. In addition, it requires an extensivelibrary or collection of data to allow for the user to have sufficientaccess to the information they want.

Accordingly, at this period of time no currently existing system allowsfor the delivery of media instantaneously to the consumer market,primarily due to bandwidth limitations. Additionally, in other methodsof delivering media, such as Netflix, there are delays in receiving themedia which are longer than may be desired. Accordingly, what is neededis a high speed system for delivering media utilizing existingtechnology that overcomes the above-identified issues. The presentinvention addresses such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and system for correcting errors in a receiving system isdisclosed. The method and system comprises analyzing and identifyingerrors in a media in the receiving system and communicating with anetwork center to download fixes to correct errors in the media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an overview of the media system in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2a shows one type of gigablock which has a memory system.

FIG. 2b shows a second type of gigablock which has a memory system and adecoding engine.

FIG. 3a shows the media encoding process utilizing algorithms.

FIG. 3b shows the sequence for media distribution for a system andmethod in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a distributed media architecture in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 5a shows a decoding unit located in the set top box.

FIG. 5b shows the gigablock with the decoding unit within the gigablock.

FIG. 6 shows how ID methodology is used as part of the security process.

FIG. 7 shows an error correction method in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a process for locating and reportingmedia degeneration in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to media distribution and moreparticularly to a method and system for efficiently distributing media.The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skillin the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the contextof a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications tothe preferred embodiments and the generic principles and featuresdescribed herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to theembodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistentwith the principles and features described herein.

Architecture

The system and method according to the present invention comprises ahigh density media system that allows for transferring data in largeblocks of information. FIG. 1 shows an overview of the media system 100in accordance with the present invention. The media system 100 comprisesa network center 102, a delivery system 104, media teller machines(MTMs) 106 a-106 n, which provide Gigablocks 108 a-108 nto receivers 110a-11Onand/or set top boxes 112 a-112 c and 114 a-114 c.

Gigablock 108

The system and method in accordance with the present invention utilizesa concept referred to as the gigablock for providing large blocks ofinformation. The gigablock is a self-contained subsystem which has oneof three media types, either optical, fixed media (which could be a harddisk or multiple hard disks) or electronic (which is typically a Flashmemory). The key to being self-contained is that the user can then havelimited access to the medium.

There are two types of gigablocks. FIG. 2a shows one type of gigablock200 which has a memory system 202. FIG. 2b shows a second type ofgigablock 200′ which has a memory system 202′ and a decoding engine 204connected to a network center 102′.

The gigablocks shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b are obtained in one of two ways:either (1) by the user walking up to a teller machine and the gigablockis then dispensed to the user, or (2) the gigablock comes in the mail,in which case there is a media teller machine (MTM) at the postalfacility which automatically generates the gigablock and puts it in anenvelope, and then the package containing the gigablock goes into thedistribution system at the postal center. Additionally, the gigablockcan be (3) mailed like Netflix or (4) distributed directly viasatellite, cable, internet wifi or cellular.

The MTM gets its information from the secured network. All of the linksin the media center to the MTM are through either a private network or avirtual private network. The private network operates via satelliteconnectivity or hard wired connectivity to the MTM. In the virtualproduct network, it could be operated via the internet but it isoperated in such a fashion that it is secure. Essentially, theconnection is not made through the internet on a public network, as isthe case at the present time with conventional media distribution.Additionally, the gigablock could be mailed like Netflix or distributeddirectly via satellite, cable, internet wifi or cellular.

The MTM produces the gigablocks. The gigablock could include a Flashmemory or another type of media, or it could include a memory whichincludes the encoding and decoding engine. Additionally, the gigablockcould be embedded in a VCR cartridge. In this embodiment, writing to thegigablock occurs in a manner similar to writing to the gigablock asdescribed in previous embodiments. Reading/playing back from theVCR-gigablock occurs by writing data/generating analog signals to amagnetic head inside the VCR case, just as in the audio field line-in toaudio cassettes are inserted into a car stereo receiver, to take asignal from an IPOD, for instance, to a car stereo receiver through theaudio cassette reader.

When the user receives the gigablock, which is a physical unit ormodule, they take it home and then insert it into one of two boxes. Thetype of gigablock 200 which contains a memory 202 but not a decodingengine, shown in FIG. 2a , is inserted into a special gigablock set-topbox, in which case the decoding engine is located in the set top box Thetype of gigablock 200′ shown in FIG. 2b which already has the decodingengine 204 built in to it would be inserted, for example into a normalsatellite receiver or VCR.

The gigablock 200 referred to in FIG. 2a is simply a memory system whichhas data path connectivity. The output from the gigablock 200′ shown inFIG. 2b , which has the decoding engine 204 built into it, is a signalto an optical or analog video screen, in addition to having dataconnectivity or a data path.

Conventional approaches for MP3 file sharing, for example, utilize astandard base approach distributed through a non-secure network, theinternet. Because the base is designed according to standard technology,the standard technology can be cracked and pirated. Secondly,conventional sharing of media files takes place through a non-securenetwork, which can also be cracked. The result is massive pirating ofmedia information.

The system and method in accordance with the present invention utilizesa secure network, which makes it a non-exclusively internet-baseddistribution system. Secondly, media files are encoded in non-standardways. Alternately, the gigablock could be distributed through a publicnetwork, satellite, cable, cellular, wifi, internet with or without avirtual private network since there is security based on the algorithm.

In order to ensure security, both ends of the system have to becontrolled, i.e., the encoding of the files and the playback. Thegigablock concept allows for this control.

In a CD implementation of the gigablock there may be for example fourwrite arms. In the very high speed implementations there are DVDgigablocks which are written to via multiple write heads, typically from4 to 64 to 1000, increasing the DVD/CD write speed by 4× to 64× to1000×. In the lower speed implementation, write heads per write armsfunction such that entire sectors are written simultaneously/inparallel. In the highest speed implementation there is a “matrix” ofheads, lasers or the equivalent, which “blast” a copy of the DVD/CDimage onto the optical media which is then the optical gigablock.

Also in the case of N devices (real or virtual—particularly the casewith flash-electronic memory) an entire movie might be loaded at the MTMinto MTM memory—again flash or virtual/RAM—the movies can be copied intoaddress locations on the gigablock—hence “N sector to GB” real orvirtual.

Connectivity

Data path connectivity is approached via one of two models. Whether thegigablock is inserted into the set top box or into a receiver, both theset top box or receiver have a special connectivity link back to anetwork center. This connectivity could be a link via a telephone line.The telephone line does not need to be a high bandwidth telephone link.Other methods of connectivity between the set top box or receiver to thenetwork center include satellite, internet, cable, cellular and wifi.

The connectivity link back to the network center is utilized forsecurity and verification purposes. In conventional approaches today,the network is not secure, and files are typically encoded with knownalgorithms. Such encoded files are easily hacked or broken into. Asystem and method in accordance with the present invention offers thesolution of removing both of these security risks.

In a preferred embodiment, first the network is secure. Second, the fileis uniquely encoded. FIG. 3a shows the media encoding process utilizingalgorithms. Every single version of piece of the media that goes on thegigablock 200″ is uniquely encoded. A gigablock 200″ can contain one ormore of different kinds of media components: movies, songs, or softwarepackages, for instance. Each of these media components has uniqueencoding. The media is coded at the MTM with one of an infinite numberof algorithms. For example, Media 1 might use algorithm 1 of 10243J.Media 10, in another example, might use algorithm 10244J. In a thirdexample, Media no. n might use algorithm 102XXZ.

Reference information on the encoding is stored at the network center102′. The network center 102′ is a massive data base which containsinformation on every media piece on every gigablock 200′″, the ID of thealgorithm that is used for the media piece, and also the ID of the user,as well as additional user registration information. This information iscollected and maintained at the network center 102″ via severaldifferent methodologies.

The network center 102″ will also contain information relating the userand the media, called properties. For example, a piece of media, StarWars, is sold to a customer. The customer can choose to pay forunlimited play, limited play, or another choice. Also, the choice ofresolution (e.g., DVD or HD-DVD, can be specified). Other features willalso be included in the network center information.

The network center 102″ will also contain identification information,identifying users and the equipment owned and utilized by the user, suchas a set top box. Having this information makes possible identificationof piracy activities.

Alternately, the gigablock 200′″ could be distributed through a publicnetwork, satellite, cable, cellular, wifi, internet with or without avirtual private network since there is security based on the algorithm.

Distribution Approach

FIG. 3b shows the sequence for media distribution for a system andmethod in accordance with the present invention. First, the user has agigablock, receives a gigablock from the MTM, or receives a gigablockvia the mail, via step 302.

Second, the user takes the gigablock to the MTM, and receives therequested/desired media, or it is also possible that a gigablock can bereceived via a partner's network, via step 304. Utilizing a partner'snetwork means that it is possible that another secure network mightcontract to distribute media via a gigablock.

Next, it is determined if the gigablock has a decoding engine built-in,via step 306. If the gigablock has a built-in decoding engine, the userinserts the gigablock in a receiver or viewing device, via step 308. Theinternal decoding device in the gigablock then decodes the media usingthe internally contained algorithm, via step 310. The user then playsthe requested media, via step 312.

If the gigablock does not have a built-in decoding engine, the usertakes the gigablock to a set top box, via step 314. The internaldecoding device located within the set top box then requests theappropriate algorithm from the network center, sending the media IDnumber to the network center via step 316. This may be done via aregular telephone line. The network center then looks up the user IDnumber and determines whether the user is the correct user, and alsoverifies payment information, etc., via step 318. If the information isnot correct, the network center may flag or disable the transaction, viastep 320. If the information is correct, the network center sends thealgorithm to the set top box, via step 322. The user is then able toplay the desired media, via step 324.

The chip within the set top box or gigablock has an infinite algorithmdecode capability. The ability to drive the decoding process through alimited set of information which is downloaded has been put into thisdecoding engine. Therefore the decoding engine kernel can be downloadedvery quickly, in approximately 2 seconds.

Returning to the gigablock, the next problem to be addressed isvandalism. 10 to 30 gigabytes of material have to be delivered inapproximately 10 to 30 seconds. There are no existing low-cost networksthat support that bandwidth transfer. Therefore, this media transfer isaccomplished via the “media” architecture.

Media Architecture

The media architecture makes possible secure delivery of large mediafiles between the network center to the MTM, and from the MTM to thegigablock.

The bandwidth problem is solved in two ways. First, an encoded medialibrary is established on the MTMs. In other words, as much as possibleof current releases, top sellers, etc., 20 percent of the contentdemanded by 80 percent of the public, is placed onto an encoded medialibrary on the MTM. The encoded media library is coupled with on-demandencoded media transfer.

Essentially, the MTM comprises an encoded media library and on-demandencoded media transfer, i.e., media encoding and transfer in sections.

There are two different resulting customer service time frames. Customerrequests which are included in the encoded media library on the MTM canbe responded to very quickly. Advance orders can be met, as the mediainformation is transferred to the MTM, in a longer, but still short,amount of time.

In addition to going to the MTM for delivery services, the customer canalso go to the internet for browsing and ordering. Then, for advancemedia unit ordering, the customer can either go to the MTM after placingthe order, or request mail order. Mail order would be accomplished byhaving an MTM within the operations of the post office with potentialsame-day delivery and at most next day delivery at reduced cost ofdelivery.

The next problem which the method and system in accordance with thepresent invention solves is how to transfer the media information fromthe MTM to the gigablock. Conventional transfer facilities today can nottransfer 10 GB a second, for example. Until such transfers arecost-effective, the present invention uses distributed mediaarchitecture to transfer media between the MTM and the gigablock.

Distributed Media Architecture

FIG. 4 illustrates a distributed media architecture 400 in accordancewith the present invention. There are n number of disks 106 a-106 ninside the MTM 402. Each disk 106 a-106 n typically could store 100 GBof material; the amount which can be stored will increase in the future.Each one of these memory units (disks) 106 a-106 n has a fraction ofmedia pieces sub₁-sub_(n) on it.

Using Star Wars as an example of a media piece, the film, which isapproximately 10 GB, is divided into n components. All these componentsare placed sub₁, sub₂ to sub_(n) components in one MTM 402. When themedia piece is transferred from the MTM 402 to the gigablock 404, thegigablock 404 has a parallel architecture, so inside the gigablock 404there is a series of n gigabyte storage units sub₁-sub_(n), for example,four Flash units. Current Flash capabilities are 2 gigabytes, and thisis growing. Using the Star Wars file as an example, if this file is a 10gigabyte file, and it is separated into 10, then there is 1 gigabyte fora segment, and in that gigablock 404 again, there exist, in this case,10 segments. A gigablock of this capacity could store 10 movies.However, the media piece is being written in segments, and will write tospecific segments. The subsegment will write to a specific segment, sub₁to sub₁₀ in this case. Using this method of data transfer, limitationsof speed are overcome.

Data transfers can be implemented via electrical connectivity, opticalconnectivity, physical/magnetic connectivity, and wireless connectivity.In the case of wireless connectivity, either parallel high speed (10Mbits/second-100 Mbytes/second) wireless connections can be made, oralternatively, one ultra high speed (100 Mbits/second-100 Gbytes/second)wireless connection, taking advantage of the fact that only smalldistances need to be traversed allowing ultra-high frequencynon-interfering signals to be used.

Each unit has to have the same number of memory units, not in a physicalsense but in a virtual sense. There will be different models of thegigablocks, with differing memory capacities.

The above describes the data path. The first part of the process istransferring data from the network to an MTM; the second part of theprocess is transferring data from an MTM to the gigablock; and the thirdpart of the process is transferring data from the gigablock to the settop box.

Utilizing parallel distributed media architecture, inside the set topbox there are also an equal number of memory storage units that willwrite to a single, depending on the version, gigablock.

FIG. 5a shows a decoding unit 504 located in the set top box 500, anapproach which allows for greater flexibility. FIG. 5b shows thegigablock 550 with the decoding unit 552 within the gigablock 550, andthe associated receiver 560, an approach which allows for lower cost,because all that is required is an input. In the first approach,parallel architecture does not have to be utilized; in the secondapproach, parallel architecture is required.

Security

An encoded file methodology provides for security. Essentially, theprocesses described in the present invention serve to resolve securityproblems. These processes involve (a) the gigablock, (b) the set topbox, or (c) the gigablock with the decode engine getting the decodealgorithm from the network center in exchange for the ID information,which is stored in the network center.

Additional embodiments include making use of the already existingfeatures for security purposes, such as detecting flagging, duplicateuse, etc.

In another embodiment, security can be enhanced through useridentification technology. In one approach, a user can be identifiedthrough a type of number, which is essentially a membership number orthe equivalent; a driver's license; or a social security number. In asecond approach, the user can be identified through the use of a smartcard or credit card equivalent. In a third approach, a user can beidentified via fingerprint identification (biometrics). By implementinguser identification control in the security methodology the method andsystem in accordance with the present invention is transformed from aClass A to a Class AAA security system.

User ID Methodology

FIG. 6 shows how ID methodology is used as part of the security process.First, at the time of the MTM/gigablock purchase and dispensing of mediamaterial, the user ID is registered and confirmed, via step 602.

The single gigablock now will contain the above intelligence. With abiometric sensor, either the user could be registered by pressing athumb against the side of the gigablock or MTM, a smart card could beapplied, or a credit card and smart card could be slid into the MTM, andthe MTM would then contain information on which specific user is using aspecific gigablock for a specific use.

The gigablock can now load up its encoded software via step 604, whichis every piece of media. When the user arrives at home and puts thegigablock into their set top box or receiver, the personal useridentification is again registered, via step 606. As a result,concentric usage sales/pricing methodologies can be established with theresulting collected data. Such user information usage data can help inreducing piracy of media materials, and can also be utilized indemographic studies. When the user connects to their set top box, all ofthis personal information will then be uploaded to the network center,via step 608. The network center will then have information on what ishappening with the gigablock and encoded media material at any moment.

Demographic System and Method

The result is a system and method for collecting user demographicinformation, describing real-time usage down to the unique demographiclevel. With such demographic information, data can be created toassociate age, wealth, and individual users with song type or type ofmedia sales. Such information could then be used to optimize MTM, GB, orset-top box libraries or direct customized media or advertisinginsertions. Data can also include permissions for the user to specificresolutions and devices such as set top, iPod and the like. Advertisinginsertions could also be downloaded from the network center tailored toa particular user. These advertising insertions can be recalled asneeded. Accordingly, the media is preloaded with the advertisinginsertion, reducing the net data required for a given program or set ofprograms. The media can then be played back with the advertising beingentered at the appropriate points in the media.

Error Correction

It is well known that over time, DVDs after reuse can develop mechanicaldefects, such as erosion in media tracks. Such defects manifestthemselves as either skips or can make the media unplayable, making themedium useless or inappropriate for use by a consumer. Defects anderrors such as these can be corrected by analysis of the errors. Thecorrection for the errors can then be sent to the user via communicationlinks. Accordingly, a software algorithm or the like can be providedthat analyzes the errors and corrects for such errors. Conventionally,it has not been feasible to provide any kind of error correctionmethodology, especially because of three reasons:

1. There has been no means for feedback through any kind of networkcenter that could provide a fix for the problem;

2. Analysis was not possible at the local level to determine the natureof the problem; and

3. There was no system in place to provide for complete replacement of,for example, a unit. With the gigablock and with other forms ofinstrumentation, which actually include an advanced form of DVD feedbackor a CD player with feedback, it now becomes possible to provide forthis capability to repair defects and errors in the playback media.

Referring back to FIGS. 5a and 5b , the set top box or receiver willalso contain analysis circuitry software connected to a network and tothe network center. The software could include a corruption of one partof the software, which can occur because of viruses. Either within thegigablock, set top box or enhanced plays, there is the capability toperform local analysis and identification of errors and defects, down toa variety of levels, the bit level, the track level, the segment level,or to another level, for example.

FIG. 7 shows an error correction method in accordance with the presentinvention. First, local analysis and identification of errors anddefects is performed in the set top box or receiver, via step 702. Next,the set top box, receiver or enhanced player communicates with thenetwork center to download the fixes/corrections for correcting theproblem, via step 704. When the set top box, receiver, gigablock orenhanced player plays the media, and runs into the error section, itwill stop playing from the damaged media and will go to the local mediawhich is inside the enhanced player or gigablock, via step 706. Thelocal media includes correction capabilities and fixes, and will movethat material to the portions of damaged media, and then go back andcontinue with the playing of the gigablock, set top box, receiver, orCD/DVD enhanced player, via step 708.

Additionally, this technology, since it involves reporting problems anderrors, makes it possible, to determine if and when a piece of mediawhich the customer buys is progressively degenerating. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process for locating and reporting media degeneration inaccordance with the present invention. With this tracking and repaircapability, it would be possible for a vendor who wants to sell a CD orDVD, to sell that CD or DVD with a guaranteed quality level for life.First, media is examined for degeneration, via step 802. The localenhanced player or gigablock could then play the material from the localstorage enhanced player or gigablock, while the vendor could send a newCD or DVD via the mail or in other ways, as, for example, throughgigablock encoding, via step 804.

Tracking of the media for errors and defects would be performed incombination with the analysis section of an enhanced player, or withinthe decoding boxes within the set top box or gigablock, utilizingcommunications between the analysis unit and the network center. Thenetwork center would have the capability to track reports from theanalysis section of the enhanced player.

If the full capabilities of the demographics capability of the gigablockare utilized, the media piece can be identified down to the individualcustomer level. This makes it possible for the vendor to sell a productwith a guaranteed quality level to an individual customer for aparticular price.

If there are transmission or time delay issues, the network center,instead of sending a 100 percent identical resolution version of themedia set, could instead send a reduced resolution media set as atemporary repair for the media. This could be accomplished in at leasttwo ways. A user might play a DVD for the first time and the analysissection would detect any problems. In one approach, the analysis unitwould then analyze the entire disk, report errors or defects to thenetwork center, and then receive corrections/fixes and store them inlocal storage. In a second approach, the analysis section can operate inparallel with the playing of the media, reporting defects or errorsshortly before the DVD being played reaches the location of the error,then requesting corrections from the network center, receiving thosecorrections and substituting the corrected media portions for those onthe DVD or CD at the appropriate time, which would be less costly thanthe first approach.

In the second approach, while the DVD is playing the firstsection/chapter of the DVD, the analysis section is examining the nextsection/chapter. If it identifies a problem with chapter 2, it requestsa fix/correction. By the time the DVD is playing section/chapter 2, thefix/correction has arrived from the network center and the movie beingviewed, for example, will continue to play properly.

Returning to the problem of reduced resolution (of material played fromthe local unit), it may be that the user doesn't want the playback to beinterrupted, in other words, for the DVD to skip over an error section.In this instance, media information to replace the error section can betransmitted at lower resolution, which allows the viewer to continueviewing the DVD without interruption. Then, either simultaneously orsubsequently the high resolution replacement data can be sent from thenetwork center to be utilized for future playback sessions, or a fullresolution file will be stored on the local unit for future playbacksessions, or a full resolution file would be either shipped to you,downloaded to you, or otherwise delivered.

Although the present invention has been described in accordance with theembodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and thosevariations would be within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for correcting errors in a receiversystem having a self-contained gigablock subsystem configured to receiveone of a plurality of media types, the plurality of media typesincluding optical media, fixed media, and electronic media, the methodcomprising: encoding a media for a user by a media teller machine (MTM)using a unique particular algorithm, the particular algorithm havingbeen selected from a collection of algorithms, the particular algorithmhaving been selected to be unique to the particular combination of theparticular media component and the particular user, and maintaining at aserver an association between the particular algorithm and theparticular combination of the particular media component and theparticular user; maintaining a secure connection between the MTM and theserver, the secure connection using the particular algorithms toencode/decode the media components for the user, the algorithms beingassociated with the combination of the media components and the user atthe server; acquiring the media by the user from a vendor via the MTM,wherein the media includes a guaranteed quality level that is offered bythe vendor at a particular price, wherein the media is registered to theuser during the acquisition by the MTM via a biometric sensor thatassociates a user ID to the media; decoding the registered media usingthe unique particular algorithm, wherein the combination of the mediaand the user is verified by the server and the server specifying theunique particular algorithms before their use; playing the registeredmedia in the receiver system, wherein user information related to theuser including the user ID is registered and stored in the receiversystem and uploaded to a network center; identifying errors in theregistered media, wherein the identifying is in parallel to the playing;reporting the identified errors to the network center; trackingdegeneration of the registered media; in response to reporting theidentified errors to the network center, downloading fixes from thenetwork center and correcting the identified errors using the downloadedfixes before the playing reaches the identified errors, wherein if theidentified errors cannot be corrected, temporarily utilizing a reducedresolution fix, the reduced resolution fix having been received andstored in a local media by the gigablock subsystem before presenting themedia with the identified errors, to enable continuous playing; and inresponse to detecting progressive degeneration of the registered media,sending via mail a replacement media from the vendor to the user basedupon the guaranteed quality level and the user information therebyenabling the vendor to identify the registered media down to individualcustomer levels.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the downloaded fixesare stored in a local media within the receiver system, the methodfurther comprising: stopping the playing after identifying errors;switching to the local media in the receiver system; and playing thedownloaded fixes from the local media.
 3. The method of claim 2 whereinthe media comprises a gigablock.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining when and where the media is degenerating andproviding the media degenerating information to a media center, whereinmaterial from a local media within the receiver system is played until anew media is provided if the media has degenerated to a predeterminedquality.
 5. A computer readable medium containing program instructionsfor correcting errors in a receiver system having a self-containedgigablock subsystem configured to receive one of a plurality of mediatypes, the plurality of media types including optical media, fixedmedia, and electronic media, the program instructions for: encoding amedia for a user by a media teller machine (MTM) using a uniqueparticular algorithm, the particular algorithm having been selected froma collection of algorithms, the particular algorithm having beenselected to be unique to the particular combination of the particularmedia component and the particular user, and maintaining at a server anassociation between the particular algorithm and the particularcombination of the particular media component and the particular user;maintaining a secure connection between the MTM and the server, thesecure connection using the particular algorithms to encode/decode themedia components for the user, the algorithms being associated with thecombination of the media components and the user at the server;acquiring the media by the user from a vendor via the MTM, wherein themedia includes a guaranteed quality level that is offered by the vendorat a particular price, wherein the media is registered to the userduring the acquisition by the MTM via a biometric sensor that associatesa user ID to the media; decoding the registered media using the uniqueparticular algorithm, wherein the combination of the media and the useris verified by the server and the server specifying the uniqueparticular algorithms before their use; playing the registered media inthe receiver system, wherein user information related to the userincluding the user ID is registered and stored in the receiver systemand uploaded to a network center; identifying errors in the registeredmedia, wherein the identifying is in parallel to the playing; reportingthe identified errors to the network center; tracking degeneration ofthe registered media; in response to reporting the identified errors tothe network center, down-loading fixes from the network center andcorrecting the identified errors using the downloaded fixes before theplaying reaches the identified errors, wherein if the identified errorscannot be corrected, temporarily utilizing a reduced resolution fix, thereduced resolution fix having been received and stored in a local mediaby the gigablock subsystem before presenting the media with theidentified errors, to enable continuous playing; and in response todetecting progressive degeneration of the registered media, sending viamail a replacement media from the vendor to the user based upon theguaranteed quality level and the user information thereby enabling thevendor to identify the registered media down to individual customerlevels.
 6. The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein thedownloaded fixes are stored in a local media within the receiver system,the computer readable medium further comprising: stopping the playingafter identifying errors; switching to the local media in the receiversystem; and playing the downloaded fixes from the local media.
 7. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 6 wherein the media comprises agigablock.
 8. The computer readable medium of claim 5, furthercomprising: determining when and where the media is degenerating andproviding the media degenerating information to a media center, whereinmaterial from a local media within the receiver system is played until anew media is provided if the media has degenerated to a predeterminedquality.
 9. A receiver system having a self-contained gigablocksubsystem configured to receive one of a plurality of media types, theplurality of media types including optical media, fixed media, andelectronic media, comprising: a receiver; the self-contained gigablocksubsystem including at least a gigablock coupled to the receiver, thegigablock comprising a plurality of memory systems wherein the memorysystem comprises a plurality of memory devices, wherein the plurality ofmemory devices are coupled in a parallel fashion to receive highband-width data; a mechanism for correcting errors in the receiversystem, the mechanism comprising: encoding a media for a user by a mediateller machine (MTM) using a unique particular algorithm, the particularalgorithm having been selected from a collection of algorithms, theparticular algorithm having been selected to be unique to the particularcombination of the particular media component and the particular user,and maintaining at a server an association between the particularalgorithm and the particular combination of the particular mediacomponent and the particular user; maintaining a secure connectionbetween the MTM and the server, the secure connection using theparticular algorithms to encode/decode the media components for theuser, the algorithms being associated with the combination of the mediacomponents and the user at the server; acquiring the media by the userfrom a vendor via the MTM, wherein the media includes a guaranteedquality level that is offered by the vendor at a particular price,wherein the media is registered to the user during the acquisition bythe MTM via a biometric sensor that associates a user ID to the media;decoding the registered media using the unique particular algorithm,wherein the combination of the media and the user is verified by theserver and the server specifying the unique particular algorithms beforetheir use; playing the registered media in the receiver system, whereinuser information related to the user including the user ID is registeredand stored in the receiver system and uploaded to a network center;identifying errors in the registered media, wherein the identifying isin parallel to the playing; reporting the identified errors to thenetwork center; tracking degeneration of the registered media; inresponse to reporting the identified errors to the network center,downloading fixes from the network center and correcting the identifiederrors using the downloaded fixes before the playing reaches theidentified errors, wherein if the identified errors cannot be corrected,temporarily utilizing a reduced resolution fix, the reduced resolutionfix having been received and stored in a local media by the gigablocksubsystem before presenting the media with the identified errors, toenable continuous playing; and in response to detecting progressivedegeneration of the registered media, sending via mail a replacementmedia from the vendor to the user based upon the guaranteed qualitylevel and the user information thereby enabling the vendor to identifythe registered media down to individual customer levels.
 10. Thereceiver system of claim 9 wherein the gigablock includes a decodingengine which is operable to communicate with a network center.
 11. Thereceiver system of claim 9 wherein the gigablock is operable to beimplemented in any of an optical, fixed media and electronic media. 12.The receiver system of claim 11 wherein the electronic media comprisesflash memory.
 13. The receiver system of claim 11 wherein the fixedmedia comprises DVDs and CDs.
 14. The receiver system of claim 13wherein in the CD and the DVD implementations multiple write heads areutilized to write data.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein thedownloaded fixes include reduced resolution fixes.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein a full resolution error correction fix issimultaneously or subsequently downloaded after downloading the reducedresolution fixes.
 17. A method as in claim 1, wherein the servermaintains, for each particular combination of a particular mediacomponent and a particular user, a set of information identifying a typeof play allowed for that particular combination of a particular mediacomponent and a particular user.
 18. A method as in claim 1, wherein thesteps of acquiring the media from the network to the MTM include stepsof reading a plurality of subsegments each to a separate location in theMTM, whereby data transfer to the MTM is not limited by size of mediacomponents, whereby remote storage of one or more media components forthe MTM is enabled.
 19. A method as in claim 1, wherein the steps ofacquiring the media by the user via the MTM include steps of reading aplurality of subsegments each from a separate location in the MTM,whereby data transfer to the gigablock is not limited by size of mediacomponents, whereby remote storage of one or more media components forthe gigablock is enabled.
 20. A method as in claim 1, wherein the stepsof playing the registered media include steps of reading a plurality ofsubsegments each from a separate location in the gigablock, whereby datatransfer while playing the registered media is not limited by size ofmedia components, whereby remote storage of one or more media componentsfor playing the registered media is enabled.